“The hardest thing to see is what is in front of your eyes.”
- Goethe
These leaves could save millions of lives.
The Moringa Tree
Moringa oleifera
VarietiesThirteen Moringa species are known:
M. oleiferaM. arboreaM. borzianaM. concanensisM. drouhardiiM. hildebrandtiiM. longitubaM. ovalifoliaM. peregrinaM. pygmaeaM. rivaeM. ruspolianaM. stenopetala
Moringa Knowledge in the Ancient World
Ancient World Knowledge
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Scientific Knowledge
Nutritional Value
Tiny leaves.
Enormous Benefits.
Gram-for-gram comparison of nutritional data1
2 times the Protein of Yogurt
3 times the Potassium of Bananas
4 times the Calcium of Milk
4 times the Vitamin A of Carrots
7 times the Vitamin C of Oranges
It’s like growing multi-vitamins at your doorstep.
Zinc
Vitamin AVitamin B1
Vitamin B2
Vitamin B3Vitamin C
CalciumChromium
CopperIron
Magnesium
Manganese
Phosphorus
Potassium
Protein
Rare for a plant source,
Moringa leaves contain all the essential amino acids… ...to build
strong, healthy bodies.
Moringa even contains argenine and histidine—two amino acids especially important for infants.
Fresh leaves and common foods1, Dried leaves2
Fresh leaves and common foods1, Dried leaves2
Note: Iron from plants, including spinach and Moringa, is generally difficult for the body to absorb.
English: Drumstick tree, (Horse)radish tree, Mother’s best friend, West Indian ben
Spanish: Ben, Árbol del ben, Morango, Moringa
French: Bèn ailé, Benzolive, Moringa
AfricaBenin: Patima, Ewé iléBurkina Faso: ArgentigaCameroon: Paizlava, DjihiréChad: Kag n’dongue Ethiopia: Aleko, HalekoGhana: Yevu-ti, ZingerindendeKenya: MrongeMalawi: Cham’mwanbaMali: NévrédéNiger: Zôgla gandiNigeria: Ewe ile, Bagaruwar makaSenegal: Neverday, Sap-SapSomalia: DangapSudan: RuwagTanzania: MlongeTogo: Baganlua, YovovotiZimbabwe: Mupulanga
AsiaBangladesh: SajinaBurma: DandalonbinCambodia: Ben ailéIndia: Sahjan, Murunga, Moonga Indonesia: KalorPakistan: SuhanjnaPhilippines: MulangaiSri Lanka: MurungaTaiwan: La MuThailand: MarumVietnam: Chùm Ngây
South and Central America, CaribbeanBrazil: CedroColombia: AngelaCosta Rica: MarangoCuba: Palo JeringaDominican Republic: Palo de aceitiEl Salvador: TeberintoFrench Guiana: SaijhanGuadeloupe: MolokoGuatemala: PerlasHaiti: BenzoliveHonduras: Maranga calaluNicaragua: MarangoPanama: JacintoPuerto Rico: ResadaSuriname: KelorTrinidad: Saijan
OceaniaFiji: SajinaGuam: KatdesPalau: Malungkai
Common Names for Moringa(See more at: treesforlife.org/moringa/names)
MalnutritionMoringa
Malnutrition map13
Seeds:Water PurificationMedicineOil
Gum: Medicine
Leaves:NutritionMedicine
Trees:Alley CroppingErosion Control
Flowers:Medicine
Pods:NutritionMedicine
Bark:Medicine
Roots:Medicine
Consider the Possibilities
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Moringa’s Potential
• Human Health
• Livestock Fodder
• Plant Growth Enhancer
• Biogas
Human Health
• Mr. Lowell Fuglie, Church World Service in Dakar
• AGADA (Alternative Action for African Development)
Conducted by:
Test in Senegal
Test in Senegal
• Children maintained or increased weight and improved health.
• Pregnant women recovered from anemia and had babies with higher birth weights.
Source: 2
Results:
Research in Nicaragua
Nikolaus FoidlLeonardo Mayorga
Dr. Nadir Reyes Sánchez
Intensive Cultivation
Livestock Fodder
Increases daily weight gain
up to 32%
Increases milk production
43% to 65%
Weight gain14, Milk production15, 16
Plant Growth Enhancer
Plant Growth Spray
• Extract juice from green matter
• Dilute with 36 parts water
• Spray 25ml on each plant
Effects of Spray
• Accelerates growth of young plants• Plants are firmer, more resistant to
pests and disease• Longer life-span• Heavier roots, stems and leaves• Produce more fruit• Larger fruit• Increase in yield 20-35%
Source: 14
Biogas
Need for Studies
• Human Health
• Livestock Fodder
• Plant Growth Enhancer
• Biogas
How to Help
• Share this information with key decision-makers in your country.
• Promote field studies and clinical studies in your country.
• Share your findings with the rest of the world.
Trees for Life JournalShare your findings with the world at:
www.TFLJournal.org
Consider the Possibilities
References1. Gopalan, C., B.V. Rama Sastri, and S.C. Balasubramanian. Nutritive value of Indian foods. Hyderabad, India: (National Institute of
Nutrition), 1971 (revised and updated by B.S. Narasinga Rao, Y.G. Deosthale, and K.C. Pant, 1989).
2. Fuglie, Lowell J., ed. The Miracle Tree—Moringa oleifera: Natural Nutrition for the Tropics. Training Manual. 2001. Church World Service, Dakar, Senegal. May 2002.
3. Price, Martin L. “The Moringa Tree.” Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization (ECHO) Technical Note. 1985 (revised 2002). May 2002. <www.echotech.org/technical/technotes/moringabiomasa.pdf>.
4. Saint Sauveur (de), Armelle. “Moringa exploitation in the world: State of knowledge and challenges.” Development Potential for Moringa Products. International Workshop, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 29 Oct. - 2 Nov. 2001.
5. Morton, Julia F. “The Horseradish Tree, Moringa pterygosperma (Moringaceae)—A Boon to Arid Lands?” Economic Botany. 45 (3), (1991): 318-333.
6. IndianGyan: The Source for Alternative Medicines and Holistic Health. Home Remedies for Common Ailments. May 2002. <www.indiangyan.com/books/healthbooks/remedies/cataract.shtml>.
7. Bakhru, H.K. Foods That heal: The Natural Way to Good Health. South Asia Books, 1995.
8. New Crop Resource Online Program (NewCROP). “Moringa Oleifera Lam.” 7 Jan.1998. Purdue U. Jan. 2005. <www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Moringa_oleifera.html>.
9. Sairam, T.V. Home remedies, Vol II: A Handbook of Herbal Cures for Commons Ailments. New Delhi, India: Penguin, 1999.
10. M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation. Moringa oleifera Lam, Moringaceae. May 2002. <www.mssrf.org./fris9809/ fris1157.html>.
11. Participatory Development Resource Centre for Africa (PDRCA) Page. United Nations Volunteers. Aug. 2000. <www.unv.org/projects/pdrca/pdrca22.htm>.
12. Home Truths Page. Morepen Laboratories. March 2002. <www.morepen.com/morepen/newsletter/hometruths.htm>.
13. United Nations World Food Programme. Interactive Hunger Map. 2004. December 2004. <www.wfp.org/country_brief/hunger_map/map/hungermap_popup/map_popup.html>.
14. Foidl, N., Makkar, H.P.S. and Becker, K. The potential of Moringa oleifera for agricultural and industrial uses. In: L.J. Fuglie (Ed.), The Miracle Tree: The Multiple Attributes of Moringa (pp. 45-76). Dakar, Senegal: Church World Service, 2001.
15. Fuglie, L. New Uses of Moringa Studied in Nicaragua. ECHO Development Notes #68, June, 2000. <http://www.echotech.org/network/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=194>.
16. Reyes, S.N. Moringa oleifera and Cratylia argentea: potential fodder species for ruminants in Nicaragua. Doctoral thesis, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala. 2006.